Helping women win the war on aging skin.

Author: skincarewarrior

As I’ve blogged about previously, I consider retinol the tried and true ‘fountain of youth.’ Retinol is in a league of its own when it comes to anti-aging and is a skincare routine necessity. However, I know many of you (including myself) who have struggled with its harsh side effects. It took years to tweak my skincare regime to be able to start and stop my use of retinol without having to deal with the side effects of dry, flaky, irritated and red skin. For those of you who swore it off because of its irritating side effects, let me share some good news….BAKUCHIOL! This exciting skincare newby is a plant-based, natural alternative to retinol. Skincare lines are now introducing anti-aging products containing Bakuchiol because it has the same benefits as retinol without the harsh side effects.

Strivectin recently released its Starlight retinol night oil which is a Bakuchiol based anti-aging oil. Studies released by Strivectin showed that those who used the product had zero irritation while all subjects saw 100% improvement in fine lines, wrinkles and skin texture. OLEHENRIKSEN has also released Glow Cycle Retin-Alt Power Serum which is a blend of Bakuchiol, alpha hydroxy acids and extracts that help to lighten sunspots and targets fine lines and wrinkles.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to share this news with you. If you are one of many who have had a negative experience with retinol and have sworn it off, why not consider one of these products containing Bakuchiol and start seeing your renewed skin today! Click on this link Glowsly for a list of 10 products (including the ones I’ve mentioned above) that all contain Bakuchiol.

As I’ve shared before, I never like to pay full price for skincare products (or anything for that matter). I’d rather put my hard-earned money into a vacation fund or a special night out and a memory. I try to closely follow sales, discounts and promos. Today (and I mean today only until midnight) you can go to https://gmadeals.com/ and get up to 50% off of m-61 powerful skincare. This is a fantastic deal. m-61 has a line of products that are loaded with peptides, glycolic acids, plant extracts and other healthy, anti-aging propertes. If you are looking for a serum or need a new moisturizer or looking to tuck some gifts away for your fav girlfriend, go to their website today at https://gmadeals.com/ while they are half off. Plus shipping is free!

Lastly, I don’t get anything for sharing this w/you except the satisfaction of saving other hardworking consumers a few $$$$.

Have you noticed all the advertising lately using the word ‘clean’…clean living, clean eating, clean make-up? I’m seeing more and more advertising for products claiming to be “clean” or having a new line of “clean.”

Clean products a/k/a whole products are derived from ingredients that claim to be either naturally derived, plant-based or ethically sourced and free from harmful chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, phenols plus many more. The natural skincare product lines are booming! Honestly, the thought of what chemicals are in my skin and haircare products are frightening. For years I used hair products that were sulfate free but weren’t necessarily free from other harmful ingredients. I think that due to advocates like the “EWG” (Environmental Working Group) exposing companies using harmful and even cancer causing ingredients, more companies are introducing product lines that are chemical free and using plants, oils, minerals and other natural and non-harmful ingredients.

A few months ago a co-worker introduced me to Beautycounter – – a make-up and skincare line that promises to only use high sourced ingredients and has a NO LIST containing 1,500 ingredients they strive to never use. I’ve been using their Countermatch Intense Moisture serum now for a few months. I love the way my skin soaks up this serum and it felt good knowing that my skin was getting wholesome ingredients that I could actually pronounce. I also bought a face wash that I gave to my daughter (a tween). It feels good knowing she’s not washing her face with chemicals plus she’s learning to be conscious about healthy and whole skincare. It’s scary to think about the chemicals we all absorb each and every day by using engineered products. I’ve now slowly substituted my skincare, make-up and hair products to “clean” products.

I hope this gives you some food for thought about what’s in the products you and your family use. Here are a few clean sourced product lines you might want to consider: MyChelle Dermaceuticals (available at Kohl’s), Burt Bees, Neutrogena and SIMPLE.

Just as the trees and temperatures change with the seasons, so does our skin. Our skin is one big porous organ that absorbs like a sponge. In the winter our skin is affected by the lack of moisture and dry indoors and tends to dry out. In the warmer season our skin sweats more. Our skin is undoubtedly affected by the seasonal changes.

Just as you change your clothing type for the seasons, you need to change your skincare products and routine. If you are noticing a change in your skin when the seasons change, here are a few suggestions to help get your skin back on track:

– Wash your face more often. With the warmer weather and being outdoors more, we sweat more and need to wash our face more frequently.

-Add a retinol. If you are one of the people who find using a retinol in the winter too drying, now is a good time to add it back to your routine.

-Switch to a lighter moisturizer. Just as warmer weather calls for lighter clothing, our skin needs a lighter coating. Switch from your heavy winter moisturizer to a lighter moisturizer.

– Exfoliate: Exfoliating will help get rid of dead skin cells and help your skin to absorb your products. Choose a gentle exfoliator especially if you’ve been out in the sun and your skin is sensitive.

-CONTINUE TO USE SUNBLOCK: As I’ve stated throughout this blog, I’m a big believer in wearing a broad-spectrum SPF every day of the year. When spending time outside in the warmer weather, it’s important to wear your sunblock (especially if you are using a retinol or acne product which can cause extreme sensitivity to the sun).

We can’t control everything, but we can help control the changes that take place to our skin during the change of seasons.

~Skincare Warrior

Warrior tip: Sunscreen has a shelf life. Start the season off with newly purchased sunblock and throw away that bottle that’s been tucked in the bathroom closet or beach bag since last summer.

Moisturizing is an essential step to any skincare routine. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard my facialist say, “oh I see you’re dehydrated” just from looking at my skin. Just like our bodies need water to stay hydrated, so does our skin. A major component of our skin and body is water. I like my moisturizer to do double duty so it’s not only moisturizing but giving me added benefits. Moisturizers can be a great source of multi-benefits. I am a big believer in moisturizing both morning and night no matter what your skin type. I’ve used over-the-counter moisturizers that I’ve liked just as much as high-end moisturizers. So long as it has the right ingredients and it’s doing what it claims, I will use it.

For quite some time now I’ve been using Environ’s AVST moisturizer (see my post on the ENVIRON product line). If you are new to using a moisturizer containing retinol, I suggest starting out with Level I or II and working your way up ENVIRON’s STEPSYSTEM allowing your skin to build a tolerance to the increased levels of retinol.

Also keep in mind when choosing a moisturizer, what other products you are currently using. For example, if you are using a moisturizer that contains a form of retinol, then using Retin-A in the evening may be overdrying your skin.

A few other product lines that I have used often and really like is LaRoche-Posay (available at CVS). I really like their Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Cream with sunscreen and Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar Original moisturizer for all skin types. It’s filled with anti-oxidants and lactic acid and really exfoliates the skin keeping it moisturized.

~Skincare Warrior

Warrior tip: Thinking of skipping your sunscreen today because it’s cloudy or rainy? Even though the sun isn’t shining those harmful rays are still penetrating the clouds. Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen daily and your skin’s appearance will never catch up to your age.

I recently saw Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman. I couldn’t help but notice the scarring and red bumps on his nose. Later that day I Googled his name and found an interview wherein he confirmed he’s had skin cancer removed 6 times. He is adamant about applying 2 oz. of a broad spectrum sunscreen daily to his face and exposed skin. Needless to say, I’m reposting my sunscreen post. I can’t stress it enough. Wear sunscreen everyday whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall.

I’ve heard it so many times from my friends and co-workers, “I don’t need sunscreen today I’m not out in the sun.” My response is always, “well you were when you walked to/from your car, when you drove to work, when you went into the grocery store or when you were waiting for your child at the bus stop.” It took me years to understand that sun damage is cumulative. You are getting tiny bits of UVA/UVB rays every single time you are outside and it’s all those little incidences that can add up to BIG damage. I see more and more ads where stars and sunscreen product representatives are toting ‘I wear sunscreen even on cloudy days’ because they know the damage the sun causes every minute you’re in it. And I’ve heard it so many times ‘but my make-up has sunscreen in it.’ Ok, I thought this for the longest time also but 1) make-up rarely goes on evenly and 2) most of the sunscreen in foundation or a BB/CC cream doesn’t have the needed amount of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to provide ‘broad spectrum’ coverage so it won’t block out all of the harmful rays.

If there’s one tip I share repeatedly to any and every one (my husband included) it’s this, “WEAR A BROAD SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY EVEN IF IT’S CLOUDY AND RAINING AND NO MATTER THE SEASON.” Here’s a link to one of my favorite sunscreen products that I was introduced to by an esthetician years ago…NIA24. It’s available at medspas and AMAZON (though I’m leary of skincare products sold on AMAZON for expiration dates). The reason it’s one of my favorite products is its anti-aging and skin damage reversing properties that work while it’s protecting harmful rays. It’s done wonders for my skin and those I’ve recommended it too. I always make my sunscreen the last product I put on before my make-up. If you don’t want to spend a lot on your daily sun protection, I recommend either Cereva or Anthelios. Both are affordable, effective and available at CVS (and yes you can use your CVS coupon/rewards on it). Can’t wait to hear your results!

~Skincare warrior

Warrior tip: Keep a hand cream containing SPF 30 in your car and keep the backs of your hands looking young. You don’t realize how much sun exposure your hands get while driving.